By Iyiowo Omrigbe
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Ekiti State chapter, commemorated the International Day of the Girl Child with a focus on empowering young girls and promoting health education.
The event, held in Ado-Ekiti, brought together students from eight schools, educators, health professionals, and key stakeholders to discuss the theme “Girls’ Vision for the Future.”
The event highlighted the importance of equipping girls with the knowledge and skills to shape their future while addressing challenges like gender inequality and limited access to healthcare.
In her opening speech, the Chairperson of NAWOJ, Ekiti State, Mrs Adewumi Ademiju,urged the girl child to develop clear visions and strategies for their future, emphasizing the need for self-determination and resilience in the face of cultural and societal challenges.
She also highlighted the significance of creating a safe environment for girls, where their ambitions could thrive.
The chairperson called on the government and stakeholders to continue efforts in providing a supportive atmosphere for girls and stressed the importance of education and healthcare in ensuring their development.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Kayode Babatuyi,congratulated NAWOJ for organizing the event and for their ongoing efforts to empower women and girls.
He thanked the Director of Civic Orientation and Citizenship for her support in educational initiatives, especially those that involve children.
The Chairman further encouraged the girls to work hard and distinguish themselves in society, noting that African culture often places more privilege on men. He emphasized that girls must strive to be exceptional through education, determination, and e f fort.
Other personalities at the event spoke to the girls about maintaining their girlhood and not allowing anyone to take away their sense of dignity.
They reiterated the importance of hard work, in alignment with the NUJ Chairman’s message, urging the girls to rely on God but also to take responsibility for their own futures. They advised them to always remember their roots and report any disturbances to their teachers.
The Director-General of Civic Orientation and Citizenship, Mrs. Oluwumi Famuyiwa, delivered the keynote lecture, focusing on the importance of values, morals, and proper attitude in the development of the girl child. She spoke about the need for girls to prioritize their future goals and avoid being swayed by negative influences. Highlighting the theme “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” she urged the participants to envision their futures and work towards achieving them through hard work and determination. The Director-General also touched on topics like self-respect and modesty, encouraging the girls to stand out for their values.
The program included an interactive question-and-answer session where students raised insightful questions about their rights and future goals. The guest speakers provided detailed answers, further emphasizing the importance of education, ambition, and self-discipline in shaping their future.
A health talk followed, and led by Mrs. Daramola Abimbola, representing Mrs. Olajumoke Oguntoye, on the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its link to cervical cancer. Mrs. Daramola informed the girls about HPV, the virus responsible for cervical cancer, and how it can be transmitted through sexual contact.
She emphasized that cervical cancer, though deadly, can be treated if detected early, and explained that the HPV vaccine, which is available for free to girls aged 9 to 14, is a preventive measure. The health sensitization team also urged the students to take advantage of the opportunity.
The session concluded with the official handing over of Sanitary pads items donated to NAWOJ by ‘Girl Effect’ which were received by the NAWOJ Chairperson, Mrs Ademiju.This was
followed by distribution of the sanitary pads to the girls as part of an empowerment initiative on menstrual hygiene, conducted in partnership with the ‘Girl Effect’ and the Ekiti State Primary Health Agency.
The event wrapped up with refreshments for the participants, marking the success ful celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child.